Fears grow over generation of ‘TikTok jihadis’ as online hate preacher who radicalised Taylor Swift terrorists unmasked
TERROR teens accused of plotting mass murder at a Taylor Swift concert have ignited fears of a generation of “TikTok jihadis”.
The main suspect, 19, was allegedly armed with explosives and knives having planned to kill crowds of innocent people as well as himself at one of the star singer’s shows in Vienna, Austria, local authorities said.
A second suspect, 17, was also arrested after getting a job at Ernst Happel Stadium – where Swift was due to perform.
An 18-year-old Iraqi national was then arrested in Vienna on Friday, allegedly another member of the same sick circle said to have been inspired by Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda.
Now it’s believed the prime suspect, an Austrian citizen with North Macedonian roots, was radicalised by a lunatic social media “star” who had ties to extreme Islamist figures.
German news outlet Bild reported Abdul Baraa, real name Ahmad Armih, preached extreme views to 81,000 followers on TikTok and 46,000 on Instagram out of Berlin.
Citing Germany’s federal intelligence agency, Bild said Baraa turned to TikTok after his mosque was shut down.
It’s believed he remains closely connected with high-ranking IS Germans.
Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned Baraa broadcasts sermons that “constructs a conspiracy of the Western world against Islam”.
The intelligence agency said: “The closure of his Berlin mosque and the corona pandemic led to greater engagement in social media.
“His rhetoric and style of presentation are particularly popular with young people.”
The agency branded the development a “TikTok-isation” of Salafism – a movement within Sunni Islam that has become associated with IS.
Baraa was labelled a “star” and one of the most “influential preachers in the Salafist scene in Germany”.
Even investigations into his work – including raids into his home – don’t seem to deter masses of lost minds turning to him for direction, German authorities warn.
London King’s College security expert Peter Neumann took to social media to also alert the public of the worrying “TikTok jihadist” trend.
He wrote on X: “Jihadist plans and attacks have increased dramatically in the last ten months.
“Almost two-thirds of the suspects (in the documented cases] were teenagers – as is now the case in Vienna, but some of them were much younger.
“I call them ‘TikTok jihadists’, although it’s not just TikTok.”
It’s also feared Telegram could be used to spread extremism and lure in vulnerable young people.
TikTok community guidelines outlaw posts that promote or support extremism.
The Sun contacted TikTok for comment.
Taylor Swift fans on Thursday gathered in the streets of Vienna, singing the hit songs after the Austrian leg of her Eras Tour was canned over the terror threats.
While Swifties sang in solidarity, Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence Omar Haijawi-Pirchner gave details of the prime suspect at a news conference.
He said the 19-year-old was “clearly radicalised in the direction of the Islamic State (IS) and thinks it is right to kill infidels.”
A 15-year-old was also spoken to by police but wasn’t arrested.
The evil plot comes seven years after the attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Maniac Salman Abedi blew himself up, killing 22 people and injuring more than 1,000 more.
Figen Murray, who lost son Martyn Hett in the strike, said the Vienna plot evoked dark memories.
She told Mirror: “Seeing the news of the planned attack in Austria gave me terrible deja vu.
“It just shows you these terrorists never go away. Once again the most frightening thing was the demographic they were targeting was young girls.
“They know attacking something like a Taylor Swift concert – and her young fans – would bring big headlines.”
LONDON SECURITY BEEFED UP
Swift’s return to the UK for a series of Wembley shows will go ahead as planned despite cancelling her three Vienna concerts.
The Met Police said yesterday that the US singer’s Wembley gigs on August 15, 17 and 19 will go ahead.
But it is understood extra safeguards will be in place, likely to include walk-through metal detectors.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News: “We are a capital city, we are an international city, on a regular basis we host major events, whether it’s concerts – Bruce Springsteen was most recently at Wembley Stadium – we’re looking forward to welcoming Taylor Swift back.
“I’m currently at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC’s stadium). Every other week, there’s a game taking place.
“We have a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we’re never complacent, many lessons were learnt after the awful Manchester Arena attack.
“I’m sure Vienna has got its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts, we’re going to carry on, working closely with police (and) ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely.”